The Citizen, 1994-09-09, Page 14PAGE A-14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 7. 1994.
Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion 1994
Originator recatfs the way it was in the beginning
As the 33rd anniversary of the Huron
Pioneer Thresher Reunion draws near, some
of the threshers who helped start the event
might reminisce about the changes that have
taken place over those years.
One of those original threshers is Simon
Hallahan of RR 3 Blyth. Now almost 96
years old, Mr. Hallahan recalls the early
days of the reunion and the meaning the
reunion had.
When the concept was first developed well
over 30 years ago, the point of the reunion
was to reunite a gang of men. These men
used to travel the countryside of this area
performing the job of threshing the farmers
fields.
The original group of men consisted of
several Hallahan brothers, Dennis, Willie
Joe, Danny, John, Simon and Raymond as
well as Alec Manning, Jack White, Hugh
Chisholm and many other local men.
The group wanted to get together with the
old gang to remember the past, says Mr.
Hallahan.
They sent notices to other threshers in the
community to inform them of the planned
gathering. Machinists who had worked with
the steam threshers and owners of machines
were invited to show off their equipment and
discuss the old times.
The first reunion was to be held at the old
Orange Hall in Blyth. Mr. Hallahan says,
"Upon arrival at the hall the Orange Master
refused us entrance. He fell that we had
consumed some liquor and shouldn't be
allowed in the building."
He admits they probably looked like a
wild group but, they were just having a good
time.
Since indoor activities had been
disallowed, he says the men decided to
continue their party in front of the hall.
Several of the men had brought fiddles
and other musical instruments with them and
they began to play in the street.
One thresher was a piper, fiddler and step
dancer, says Mr. Hallahan.
As the group carried on, the street began
to fill with spectators. Soon the area was
overflowing and the Orange Master decided
the threshers weren't such a bad group after
all. He chose to let them into the hall, says
Mr. Hallahan.
For the next four years the group of men
got together at an old horse bam. They had
five steam engines on display and
entertained spectators with their homegrown
style of music.
Mr. Hallahan is quick to point out the
contribution of the threshers' wives to their
reunion. The women provided an excellent
meal in the old thresher way, he says. They
By the fifth year, the popularity of the
reunion had grown. It changed the event
from a private social gathering to a
community activity.
The original members decided to set up
committees to provide more entertainment,
fiddle and stepdance contests and to bring in
more threshing machines.
As the years passed, the event just
continued to grow in its ability to pull in
spectators and exhibitors.
Mr. Hallahan says the threshers managed
the show for 23 years. It was decided at that
time to incorporate the show for the Hobby
Association.
This was the biggest change for the
reunion, he says. Instead of all the members
participating in the planning, 15 directors
were chosen.
The reunion now has five executive, nine
directors and 34 committee chairmen (some
hold more than one post).
" As a member you are told what to do and
where to go. It is no longer a reunion. It is a
business," says Mr. Hallahan.
‘Toys to tractor parts
Visitors to the antique flea market at the Thresher Reunion will find
everything from replica farm toys to tractor parts and household goods.
NEW WORLD-CLASS
BEAN PROCESSING
FACILITY...
IN HENSALL!
cooked good hot meals and there was plenty
of homebaking too. The selection included
pics, cakes and home preserves.
9-ligfc stepping
The step dancers competing on
Sunday afternoon always provide
some top notch entertainment for the
music and dance lovers at the
Thresher Reunion.
THE BUSINESS OF BEANS
Hensall District Co-op has been in the bean
business since 1968 and now we are proud to
announce the opening of our new $2 million
white bean processing facility. This new plant
will improve the quality of the beans supplied
to our customers world-wide.
Our new facility will benefit everyone involved
- Ontario bean producers, the export and
domestic consumer and the member/owners of Hensail District Co-op. Bean producers are welcome to
tour this high-tech, completely computerized facility - see what can be achieved by farmers working
together. Ifperfect beans can be produced, we can produce them!
Help support this new initiative by' delivering your beans to your nearest Hensall District Co-op
receiving elevator. We guarantee fast, efficient service, fair grades and honest weights.
(New for 1994 and available in Hensall - UBLY hard-surfaced bean knives.)
K UIensall
ffySTRICT
KK Mo-operative
Committed to serving rural
communities! '
HENSALL CO-OP ELEVATORS SATELLITE ELEVATORS
Hensall 262-3002 Mitchell Co-op Mitchell 348-8522
1-800-265-5190 Monkton 347-2232
Seaforth 522-1000 Stratford Co-op Rannoch 229-6290
Londesboro 523-4470 Paul Toohey Lucan 225-2710
Exeter 235-1150 Embrun Co-op Embrun 613-443-2196